The Latest: Texas Senate OKs abortion insurance restrictions

AUSTIN, Texas — The Latest on the Texas Legislature's debate of insurance restrictions for covering abortion (all times local):

7 p.m.

Texas' Republican-controlled Legislature has voted to restrict insurance coverage for abortions, over the objections of opponents who decried that no exception would be made in cases of rape or incest.

The state Senate late Saturday approved 20-10 a bill requiring women to purchase extra insurance to cover abortions except amid medical emergencies. A final, largely formulaic vote soon will send the measure to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law.

Ten states already have laws restricting insurance coverage of abortion in private insurance plans. All make exceptions if the mother's life is endangered but only two have rape or incest exceptions.

Supporters say it keeps Texans who object to abortion from subsidizing coverage for the procedure. But Democrats say it forces women to buy "rape insurance."

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10 a.m.

The Republican-controlled Texas Legislature is poised to restrict insurance coverage for abortions over the objections of opponents who are decrying that no exception would be made in cases of rape or incest.

Ten states already have laws restricting insurance coverage of abortion in private insurance plans. All make exceptions if the mother's life is endangered but only two also make exceptions for rape and incest.

The bill's Republican sponsor says it keeps Texans who object to abortion from subsidizing coverage for those undergoing the procedure. But Democrats have likened it to forcing women to buy "rape insurance."